Lara Croft Girl

Author Mark Cohen attributed Lara Crt's eroticism among male fans to the character's appearance and a male protective instinct. German psychologist Oscar Holzberg described the protective behaviour as the result the opportunity to act as a hero in virtual worlds and a fear powerful, emancipated women. Jonathan Smith Arcade: The Videogame Magazine similarly noted that male players ten see themselves as "chivalrous protectors" while playing the game. Holzberg further stated that the lower psychological investment inherent to virtual characters is more comfortable for males. Cohen affirmed that despite blatant male appeal, Crt garnered a serious female audience. Eidos estimated by 2000, female consumers comprised 20–25 percent Tomb Raider game purchases. Jeremy Smith argued that Tomb Raider attracted more female players to video gaming, especially in Japan. Smith believed that Crt does not alienate prospective female players, representing an emancipated heroine and not simply an attractive character. According to Adrian Smith, the character was also popular with younger demographics that did not view her sexually. Cohen reasoned that Lara Crt differs from other erotic characters and attractive leads, as the Tomb Raider game series also featured rich action, impressive graphics, and intelligent puzzles; other such characters were unsuccessful because the game content was lacking. Amy Hennig developer Naughty Dog and Griffiths echoed similar statements. GamesRadar editor Justin Toweel nonetheless commented that he couldn't imagine a Tomb Raider game without a sexualized female lead.
Griffith described Lara Crt as a flawed female influence. He stated that though the character is a step in the right direction, too many women view her as a "crudely realised male fantasy figure". Women in the video game industry describe the character as both a positive and negative influence. Ismini Roby WomenGamers.com commented that Lara Crt was not a sexist influence in 1996, attributed to the lack prominent female characters in video games at the time. She stated that the over-sexualized appearance was overlooked because the character was a "breath fresh air". However, Roby felt that though Lara Crt's proportions have become more realistic, the character's personality was diluted by the developer's actions to appeal to a male audience. LesbianGamers.com's Tracy Whitelaw called the character a dichotomy, stating that though Lara Crt is viewed as "idealized" with an "unattainable body", the character was a great stride for the propagation female characters as video game protagonists.